Trench wall retainer



Jan. 9, 1968 R. DOTLICH 3,362,168

TRENCH WALL RETAINER Filed Jan. 24, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. RA 0 E D 0 TL! c H 3 7:3 Maid; Q5

ATTORNEY Jan. 9, 1968 R. DOTLICH TRENCH WALL RETAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 24, 1966 U E I Z 4- INVENTOR. v FADE DOTL/CH ATTORNEY United States Patent This invention relates generally to an apparatus for retaining earth walls, and more particularly to an improved apparatus for retaining the vertical earth walls of a relatively narrow, longitudinally extending excavation.

The earth-wal retaining devices and apparatus of the prior art that I am familiar with are generally expensive to manufacture due to their multiplicity of parts, and are heavy and clumsy, generally require construction thereof in-situ and, therefore, difficult to operate and to transport from job site to job site. Also, in the art of digging trenches for laying, for example, sewer pipes, the most serious hazard of such a job is the caving-in of the vertical earth walls of the trench causing injury to workmen and delays in the progress of the work. Though the provision of an adequate slope to the trench walls will prevent cave-ins, this procedure is not followed in most cases because it entails removal and replacement of large amounts of soil thereby increasing the cost of the operation. In addition, digging such wide-top trenches are further restricted due to the confining limits of easement rights. These and other factors dictate the necessity for excavating trenches with substantially vertical walls which give rise to the problems that this invention is directed to.

An important object of my invention is to provide an earth-wall retaining apparatus which affords protection to workmen and the job being performed from the hazard of cave-ins.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an earth-wall retaining apparatus which is economical to construct or manufacture.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an earth-wall retaining apparatus which is simple and easy to operate and vehicularly portable from job site to job site.

An additional object of my invention is to provide an earth-wall retaining apparatus which is supportable for movement with the progress of the work.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon forming a part of this application, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan elevation of my invention, the tow cables are shown in fragment and the cross-beams for the skid devices are broken so that the lateral expanse is shown reduced;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged end elevation of my invention shown in section taken along lines 22 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged end view of the cross-beam showing the connective details of the skid to the crossbeam as viewed along lines 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is another connective detail of the skid shown in fragment;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective detail view of the hydraulic jack mount on a wall retainer shown in fragment;

FIGURE 6 is a pictorial view of my invention shown in operation, one trench wall retained thereby is longitudinally removed to expose my invention to view;

FIGURE 7 is a persepctive detail view of the draw bar hitch connecting the forward hydraulic jack spacer shown in fragment;

3,362,168 Patented Jan. 9, 1968 FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the wheel attachments for the apparatus of my invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of my invention shown vehicularly connected for transportation.

With reference to the above drawings, and in particular FIGURE 1, numeral 10 designates generally my invention. It comprises a laterally extending cross-beam 12 of suflicient length to span the trench so that ends 14 and 16 thereof extend over substantially firm ground adjacent the trench. The ends 14 and 16 of cross-beam 12 are each provided with a vertically extending hole for receiving therethrough adjustably positioned shafts 18 and 20 of skid means 22 and 24, respectively. As seen in FIGURE 3 which is a side view of skid means 24, shaft 20 extends upright from a planular runner 26. I prefer to provide planular runner 26 with channel brackets 28 and 30 positioned thereon forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, of shaft 20. Channel brackets 28 and 30 receive the ends of brace members 32 and 34. The other ends 36 and 38 thereof, respectively, are angled to extend upwardly and are provided with slotted apertures for receiving cap bolts 42 therethrough. Cap bolts 42 are threadedly engaged to tapped holes in end 14 of cross-beam 12 for adjustably securing braces 32 and 34 to cross-beam 12. Skid means 22 is adjustably connected to cross-beam 12 by selectively inserting key pins 44 in one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced diametral holes in shaft 20 above and below cross-beam 12. Washers 46 are inserted between key pins 44 and cross-beam 12.

Returning now to FIGURES 1 and 2, cross-beam 12 dependingly supports a pair of spaced wall panels 48 and 50. Panels 48 and 50 are fabricated with horizontally extending ledges or flanges 52 and 54, respectively, along the top sides thereof. Flanges 52 and 54 carry laterally aligned channel brackets 56 and 58, respectively, through which cross-beam 12 is inserted to dependingly support wall panels 48 and 56. I further provide cross-beam 12 with Slots 60 and 62 in the portions of the cross-beam embraced by channel brackets 56 and 58. Each of slots 60 and 62 are formed with notched sides so that in effect slots 60 and 62 are a plurality of overlapping holes, each thereof can receive therethrough rods 64 and 66, the shank portions thereof extending substantially below cross-beam 12 and laterally bearing against the infacing surface of wall panels 48 and 50, respectively, and serve to maintain wall panels 48 and 50 spaced apart. Referring now particularly to FIGURE 1, the forward ends of flanges 52 and 54 of Wall panels 48 and 50 are similarly provided with channel brackets 68 and 70, respectively, to which are removably connected by means such as bolts 72, outwardly extending cantilever beams 74 and 76, the ends of which are also similarly adapted to receive skid means 78 and 80, the structure of which and the connective engagement to cantilever beams 74 and 76 are similar to the structure of skid means 24 and its connective relationship to cross-beam 12 as above described. Referring now also to FIGURE 2, I provide the infacing surface of wall panel 48 with a plurality of coupling elements 82, S4 and 86. I show these coupling elements fixed to wall panel 48 by means of weldments. It is understood, of course, that such construction and fabrication is possible only if the sheathing material of the panels are metallic. If the sheathing material of the panels are of fibrous or other material such as wood or plastic, the means for connecting the coupling elements would be any other convenient fastening means such as bolts or screws suitable to the type of material used. I prefer to provide three coupling elements, one thereof designated 82 located approximately centrally in depth and rearwardly on wall panel 48. Coupling element 86 is similarly located but at the forward end of wall panel 48, and coupling element 84 is intermediately located at approximately the center portion thereof. Hydraulic jacks 88, 90 and 92 are horizontally mounted on the infacing side of wall panel and are laterally aligned with coupling elements 82, 84 and 86 on wall panel 48, respectively. Spanning the space between wall panels 48 and 50 and connectively engaging adaptive means 94 on piston 96 of each hydraulic jack 88, and 92 are shaft means such as pipe extensions 98, 100 and 102, respectively. I show a bolt connective means between pipe extensions 98, 100 and 102, and coupling elements 82, 84 and 86, respectively. Handles 104 are provided for each hydraulic jack for actuating the pump ing means thereof. Pipe extensions 98, 100 and 102 are removable from their respective coupling elements and hydraulic jack to allow easy replacement thereof by other pipe extensions of different lengths so that the apparatus of my invention may be adaptable to trench excavations of different widths. Hydraulic jacks 88, 90 and 92 are mounted on the infacing side of wall panel 50 by the flanged bases thereof being removably fitted in shoe brackets 106 as more clearly illustrated in FIGURE 5. Lugs 108 are provided on panel 50 above the base of the hydraulic jacks to prevent the jacks from climbing out while under pressure. Accordingly, the open ends of shoe brackets 106 are taperingly spaced from panel 50 to allow insertion of the shoe or base part of hydraulic jacks part lugs 108. The forward shaft means or pipe extension 102 is provided with a draw bar coupler 110 as shown in FIG- URE 9 so that the apparatus of my invention may be vehicularly transportable from job site to job site as required. Forward ends 112 and 114 of wall panels 48 and 50, respectively, are inwardly angled and serve as earth cutting blades for the advancing wall panels. Rear ends 116 and 118 of Wall panels 48 and 50 are also inwardly angled and serve to gradually release the pressure on the earth walls of the trench to prevent sudden release of pressure and excessive crumbling. The forward ends of flanges 52 and 54 are provided with anchor means 120 for cables 122 which are connected to means on the excavating tractor 124 which serves to control the pro gressive movement of the apparatus of my invention besides its principal function of excavating as shown in FIG- URE 6. Bolt holes 126 are also provided in flanges 52 and 54 for connecting removable spacer plates 128 and 130 as shown in FIGURE 9.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 and 9, I provide brackets 132 and 134 formed to rotatably support wheels 136 and 138 which are removably connected to the exterior sides of wall panels 48 and 50, respectively.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The trench wall retainer 10 above described is vehicularly transported as illustrated in FIGURE 9 to a trench where it is disconnected from the draw bar of the transporting vehicle and draw bar coupler 110 is removed by sliding endwise off pipe extension 102. Retainer apparatus 10 is lifted by cable means (not shown) suspended from the boom of a crane or the excavator. The cable means may be connected to the apparatus of my invention in any convenient manner. For example, eye bolts 140 may be provided on flanges 52 and 54 for this purpose. With the apparatus of my invention lifted, the brackets supporting wheels 136 and 138 are removed together with spacer plates 128 and 130 after cross-beam 12 and cantilever beams 74 and 76 are connected to channel brackets 56 and 58, and 68 and 70, respectively. The retainer apparatus 10 of my invention is then maneuvered to be lowered into the excavated of the trench so that skid means 22, 24, 78 and 80 rest on the ground astride the trench. By pumping handle 104- of each of hydraulic jacks 88, 90 and 92, wall panels 48 and 50 may be forced against the earth walls of the trench and thereby effectively serve as retainers. Wall panels 48 and 50 thus positioned to firmly support the earth bank of the trench, pin means 64 and 66 are inserted in one of the notched areas of slots 60 and 62, re-

spectively, of cross-beam 12 so that the shank portion of the pins which extend below cross-beam 12 forcefully bear against side walls 48 and 50, respectively. Thus positioned in the trench, workmen, as illustrated in FIGURE 6, may safely perform their task such as laying sewer pipe or any other job required to be done in a relatively deep trench. The trench excavation, even though well in advance of the work area of the trench, may be easily coordinated with the progress of the work and, therefore, the trench wall retainer 10 of my invention is connected by means of cables 122 to the excavating tractor 124 so that it may be pulled thereby as the work progresses and provide protection for the workmen without unduly disrupting the work or relocating the trench wall retainer 10. In order to facilitate movement of the apparatus 10 in the trench, the hydraulic jack pressure on wall panels 48 and 50 is partially relieved by releasing the pressure of hy draulic jacks 88 and 90. This operation accomplishes the pivoting of wall panels 48 and 50 inwardly about the pressure points thereon of hydraulic jack 92, and swinging of inwardly angled ends 112 and 114 outwardly sufiiciently to position ends 112 and 114 parallel and flush with the earth walls of the trench. The forward movement of wall retaining apparatus 10 will advance ends 112 and 11 4 as blades for cutting the earth walls of the trench level to provide a firm, smooth backing for Wall panels 48 and 50 to bear against.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been herein illustrated and described, it is not 1ntended to limit the invention to such disclosure, but changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for supporting the vertical walls of a trench comprising:

a cross-beam laterally spanning said trench,

said cross-beam having a plurality of closely spaced holes disposed in a row and extending vertically through in the end portions of said cross-beam;

skid means connecting the ends of said cross-beam for sliding movement on the ground astride said trench;

a pair of laterally spaced wall panels having the top side thereof provided with bracket means at one end portion of said wall panels for adjustably engaging said cross-beam;

pin means inserted in said holes in said cross-beam, the shank of said pin means extending below said cross-beam to laterally engage the infacing walls of each of said spaced wall panels;

a laterally extending beam member connecting the top side of each of said wall panels at the other end portion thereof;

skid means connecting the ends of said laterally extending beam member for sliding movement on said ground astride said trench;

a plurality of coupling elements provided on the infacing side of one of said wall panels longitudinally spaced thereacross, and a plurality of bracket elements provided on the infacing side of the other of said wall panels longitudinally spaced thereacross;

each of said coupling elements on one of said wall panels being laterally aligned with one of said bracket elements on the other of said wall panels;

a hydraulic motor means supported in each of said bracket elements; and

a shaft means connecting each of said hydraulic motor means at one end of said shaft means and each of said coupling elements at the other end of said shaft means to maintain said wall panels in shoring engagement with said vertical walls of said trench.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by said skid means connecting each end of said cross-beam and said laterally extending beam member comprising:

a skid runner provided with a central upright shaft member and brace members, one end of said brace providing said other end of said wall panels with inwardly members connecting the ends of said runner, the directed, longitudinally extending plates. other end of said brace members being angled upright and spaced apart for receiving the ends of said References Cited cross-beam and beam members, said other end of 5 U T STATES PA N S said brace members having a slotted aperture for receiving connecting means therethrough for connect- 2 i gj ii ing said other end of said brace members to said 3159978 12/1964 De 61:41 61'1dSb(1)f said crloss-bearn and beam members at ad- 3186177 6/4965 Kanmnbefg justa e vertica positions;

said shaft member having a plurality of longitudinally 10 1/1967 Meshorer 61-41 spaced diametral holes; and OTHER REFERENCES locking pins through said diametral holes for connect- German i t d li ation, DAS 1,123,988, February ing said shaft member to said ends of said cross- 1962' beam and beam members at a selective position. 15 3. The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized by JACOB SHAPIRO, Primary Examiner, 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING THE VERTICAL WALLS OF A TRENCH COMPRISING: A CROSS-BEAM LATERALLY SPANNING SAID TRENCH, SAID CROSS-BEAM HAVING A PLURALITY OF CLOSELY SPACED HOLES DISPOSED IN A ROW AND EXTENDING VERTICALLY THROUGH IN THE END PORTIONS OF SAID CROSS-BEAM; SKID MEANS CONNECTING THE ENDS OF SAID CROSS-BEAM FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT ON THE GROUND ASTRIDE SAID TRENCH; A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED WALL PANELS HAVING THE TOP SIDE THEREOF PROVIDED WITH BRACKET MEANS AT ONE END PORTION OF SAID WALL PANELS FOR ADJUSTABLY ENGAGING SAID CROSS-BEAM; PIN MEANS INSERTED IN SAID HOLES IN SAID CROSS-BEAM, THE SHANK OF SAID PIN MEANS EXTENDING BELOW SAID CROSS-BEAM TO LATERALLY ENGAGE THE INFACING WALLS OF EACH OF SAID SPACED WALL PANELS; A LATERALLY EXTENDING BEAM MEMBER CONNECTING THE TOP SIDE OF EACH OF SAID WALL PANELS AT THE OTHER END PORTION THEREOF; SKID MEANS CONNECTING THE ENDS OFFTHE SAID LATERALLY EXTENDING BEAM MEMBER FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT ON SAID GROUND ASTRIDE SAID TRENCH; A PLURALITY OF COUPLING ELEMENTS PROVIDED ON THE INFACING SIDE OF ONE OF SAID WALL PANELS LONGITUDINALLY SPACED THEREACROSS, AND A PLURALITY OF BRACKET ELEMENTS PROVIDED ON THE INFACING SIDE OF THE OTHER OF SAID WALL PANELS LONGITUDINALLY SPACED THEREACROSS; EACH OF SAID COUPLING ELEMENTS ON ONE OF SAID WALL PANELS BEING LATERALLY ALIGNED WITH ONE OF SAID BRACKET ELEMENTS ON THE OTHER OF SAID WALL PANELS; A HYDRAULIC MOTOR MEANS SUPPORTED IN EACH OF SAID BRACKET ELEMENTS; AND A SHAFT MEANS CONNECTING EACH OF SAID HYDRAULIC MOTOR MEANS AT ONE END OF SAID SHAFT MEANS AND EACH OF SAID COUPLING ELEMENTS AT THE OTHER END OF SAID SHAFT MEANS TO MAINTAIN SAID WALL PANELS IN SHORING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID VERTICAL WALLS OF SAID TRENCH. 